Variable Flow Control Device, System, and Method

Abstract

A device, system and method are provided for controlling the rate of infusion of fluids during infusion therapy using non-electric infusion devices. Rotation of a flow regulator dial causes an orifice connected to the inlet to modify its position relative to a particular one or more orifices or groove portions, the characteristics of which provide a certain flow rate characteristic. The flow regulator allows for the Infusion pump to Infuse at a rate that may be varied during use by the user. Additionally, the flow regulator is made from a material selected to operate under a wide range of pressures, from 5-40 PSI, making the flow regulator compatible with pressurized devices, such as, a non-electric pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a first portion comprising an inlet port configured to receive fluid originating from an infusion device;   a second portion comprising an outlet port configured to deliver fluid to a patient, the second portion forming a rotatable snap-fit coupling with the first portion; and   a fluid path disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the fluid path having at least one manually adjustable dimension which, when adjusted due to relative rotation between the first portion and the second portion during infusion, changes a flow rate of fluid exiting the outlet port.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the infusion device which is fluidically coupled to the inlet port. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the infusion device is a non-electric infusion pump. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the infusion device dispenses fluid at a constant force. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the infusion device is coupled to the flow rate device by way of one or more tubing sets. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a needle set fluidically coupled to the outlet port. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid originating from the infusion device is at a pressure within a range of 5 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 40 PSI. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one manually adjustable dimension comprises a width of the fluid path. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one manually adjustable dimension comprises a length of the fluid path. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one manually adjustable dimension comprises both of a length of the fluid path and a width of the fluid path. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are composed of materials that can withstand pressures induced by the infusion device of from 5 PSI to 40 PSI. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a seal between and rotatable relative to one of the first portion or the second portion and fixed relative to the other of the first portion or the second portion. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises a channel of varying diameter, wherein a position of the second portion relative to the first portion changes a position at which the fluid enters the channel thereby affecting the flow rate of fluid exiting the outlet port. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a seal between the first portion and the second portion having a plurality of orifices for fluid flow therethrough, each of the orifices being selectively alignable with the inlet port and the channel. 
 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a seal between the first portion and the second portion consisting of a single orifice for fluid flow therethrough, the orifice being selectively alignable with the inlet port and the channel. 
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein fluid exits the outlet port at a pressure between 5 PSI to 40 PSI. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is secured to the second portion by way of a snap fitting. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion, when coupled to the second portion, forms a barrel like structure. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 an first portion comprising an inlet port configured to receive fluid originating from the infusion device;   an second portion comprising an outlet port configured to deliver the fluid originating from the infusion device to a patient, the second portion forming a rotatable snap-fit coupling with the first portion; and   a fluid path disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the fluid path having a manually adjustable fluid path length which, when adjusted due to rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion during infusion, changes a flow rate of fluid exiting the outlet port.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are composed of materials that can withstand pressures induced by the infusion device of from 5 PSI to 40 PSI. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a seal between and rotatable relative to one of the first portion or the second portion and fixed relative to the other of the first portion or the second portion. 
 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the infusion device is a non-electric infusion pump. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the infusion device dispenses fluid at a constant force. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the infusion device is coupled to the flow rate device by way of one or more tubing sets. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein one or more tubing sets are coupled to the outlet port to cause the fluid to be delivered to the patient. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the second portion comprises a channel of varying diameter, wherein a position of the second portion relative to the first portion changes a position at which the fluid enters the channel thereby affecting the flow rate of fluid exiting the outlet port. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising:
 a seal between the first portion and the second portion having a plurality of orifices for fluid flow therethrough, each of the orifices being selectively alignable with the inlet port and the channel. 
 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  further comprising:
 a seal between the first portion and the second portion consisting of a single orifice for fluid flow therethrough, the orifice being selectively alignable with the inlet port and the channel. 
 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus for fluid control along a flow path between an infusion device and a patient comprising:
 an first portion comprising an inlet port having a luer lock and configured to receive fluid originating from the infusion device;   an second portion comprising an outlet port having a luer lock and configured to deliver the fluid originating from the infusion device to the patient, the second portion forming a rotatable snap-fit coupling with the first portion; and a fluid path disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the fluid path having   a manually adjustable width which, when adjusted due to rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion during infusion, changes a flow rate of fluid exiting the outlet port.   
     
     
         30 . A system comprising:
 first means for receiving fluid originating from an infusion device at a pressure within a range of 5 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 40 PSI;   second means for delivery for delivering the fluid originating from the infusion device to a patient; and   a fluid path disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the fluid path having a manually adjustable width which, when adjusted due to rotation of the first means relative to the second means, changes a flow rate of fluid exiting the second means.